Over the Easter, both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye had to deal with large swarms of sargassum. It's a letdown for tourists and a health hazard for locals, so the authorities have been busy trying to keep the coats clear. But the problem is worsening - all across the region from Florida down to Belize.
Yesterday, we asked the CEO in the Ministry of the Blue Economy if any relief is on the way for the islanders.
Kennedy Carillo, CEO, Ministry of Blue Economy
"Without a doubt it is something that is priority for us. You all may be aware that Hol Chan in San Pedro is going to be embarking on a pilot project. This is of course through the leadership of Minister Andre Perez who is out at San Pedro and experiences the effects of sargassum personally as well and we know the impact on tourism as well. There is going to be a project specifically whereby we are going to be replicating a project out of Playa Del Carmen, where we are going to have some platoons that will be awaiting the sargassum right at the channels of the reef and we have that advantage, because the sargassum has to come though those channels coming to San Pedro and so to await it there even before it comes to th beach and then try see how you collect it from there. We also have projects though the fisheries department as well as looking at opportunities for utilizing sargassum for oil and so forth. So, definitely it is a priority, a concern and obviously ministry such as Blue Economy and tourism we are right on top of it."
Reporter
"When do we see a start of these projects?"
Kennedy Carillo, CEO, Ministry of Blue Economy
"We know that the one in the pilot project in San Pedro is going to start this year and we should see the impact probably by next year and then of course we will look at how we replicate once we see the success of this particular approach to it."
